A teacher who has taught swimming for free for nearly 20 years

Stop the tears

"Come on, let's warm up for 15 minutes before getting in the water!" was Mr. Tuoc's signal to start the lesson. There were classes that started early and there were also classes that sat on the shore waiting for class time. Mr. Tuoc taught up to 4 swimming classes a day, something he had been doing for nearly 20 years.

Mr. Tuoc has been teaching swimming for free to students for nearly 20 years.

Mr. Tuoc was born in 1976 and is currently a physical education teacher at Hai Vinh Primary and Secondary School (Hai Hung Commune). Born and raised in Hai Lang, a land that suffered many floods, Mr. Tuoc witnessed many tragic drowning accidents that haunt him to this day.

"Children drowning happens a lot, especially when summer comes, spontaneous swimming activities take place everywhere. Therefore, I opened a free swimming class with the desire to reduce the situation of drowning in children. We must stop the flow of tears, that is the order from the heart. Uncle Ho once said: 'Children are like buds on a branch, knowing how to eat, sleep, and study is good', I love children very much and hope that they have a safe childhood to develop", said Mr. Tuoc.

After that, Mr. Tuoc submitted a request to the school and local authorities to open a swimming class for students. "At first, parents were quite hesitant and did not dare to send their children to the swimming class. After that, I encouraged them and committed to taking all responsibility, so the parents gradually trusted me and the first class was formed with 25 students," said Mr. Tuoc.

To find a place to hold the class, Mr. Tuoc spent many days surveying the location, but the water source in many places was not guaranteed. He chose the N4 canal running through the communal fields, but had to build a dam to block the water. "The canal has a water flow similar to that of rivers and streams, so I think it is suitable to equip students with skills to deal with water flows when the flood season comes," said Mr. Tuoc.

"Sacrifice" the summers

For teachers, summer is a time to recharge after a year of hard work. For Mr. Tuoc, his joy is learning to swim with the children. Every year, from the beginning of June, Mr. Tuoc's class is organized and lasts throughout the summer.

Mr. Tuoc teaches up to 4 swimming classes a day during the summer.

As a physical education teacher, Mr. Tuoc teaches swimming in a very systematic and scientific way. In addition to teaching swimming, Mr. Tuoc also guides students in survival swimming skills and how to safely handle drowning people. "I also teach students skills such as diving in water, floating styles and different swimming styles. At the same time, I teach students some rescue skills using buoys or floating objects, rescue using poles, rescue using ropes," said Mr. Tuoc.

According to Mr. Tuoc, in many places in Quang Tri, economic conditions are still difficult, so children do not have the conditions to learn to swim. In the summer, many children go to lakes and rivers to swim, which often leads to tragic drowning incidents.

Learning to swim in Mr. Tuoc's class, if fast, it only takes 2 days, if slow, it takes 5-6 days. Although he taught his students how to swim, Mr. Tuoc always told his students not to be subjective even if they know how to swim, and to always bring a lifebuoy when going to the beach or river.

"There are some shy children who do not dare to go into the water or cling to the teacher and do not let go, so I have to encourage them and let them practice on land first. After that, I guide them slowly or create games in the water to make them more excited and bold," said teacher Tuoc.

"When summer comes, I really like swimming. But last time I asked my parents to go swimming with my siblings but they didn't let me because it was dangerous. When they heard that Mr. Tuoc opened a swimming class, my parents came to talk to him and let me join the class. Now I can swim well," Vo Van Hau, a student at Hai Vinh Primary and Secondary School, excitedly said.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Mai in Hai Hung commune said: "When I learned about Mr. Tuoc's free swimming classes, I took my child to register for classes. After 2 days of class, my child has mastered basic swimming skills. I am very grateful to Mr. Tuoc for helping my child learn to swim. Now my child feels more secure when going out."

Spread good models

In addition to teaching swimming on the N4 canal for nearly 20 years, Mr. Tuoc has also coordinated with the Hai Hung Commune Youth Union and received funding from the Hai Lang Regional Development Program to be in charge of 4 other swimming classes with over 100 children, including 15 children with mild disabilities.

Mr. Tuoc and the students cleaned grass and trash in the canal before starting classes.

A few years ago, Mr. Tuoc also coordinated with 5 colleagues to open free swimming classes in Trieu Hoa, Trieu Long, Trieu Dai, Trieu Thuan, Trieu Trach communes of Trieu Phong district (Quang Tri), Trung Hai commune (Gio Linh), Trung Nam commune (Vinh Linh district). Mr. Tuoc's colleagues each have different circumstances, teach in different places but all have the same thought of how to popularize swimming to children.

Currently, the group of swimming teachers includes Mr. Viet, Mr. Thang, Mr. Anh, Mr. Duc..., each lesson will have 2 instructors and 2 supervisors according to the motto: "Safe, effective and free". The group of teachers also prepares lesson plans, sets up classroom rules, and provides swimming gear for the children so that they can learn to swim best, with the desire to maintain and expand free swimming classes, especially in remote communes, flood-prone areas and areas with high drowning rates.

For many years, the irrigation canal of Hai Hung commune has not only been a canal providing water for irrigation of the fields but has also become a makeshift swimming class for more than 2,000 children, of whom about 1,500 are good swimmers and the rest have mastered basic swimming skills. In recent years, Hai Hung commune in particular and communes with swimming classes have seen a marked decrease in drowning rates.

Mr. Cat Xuan Tuong, Vice Chairman of Hai Hung Commune People's Committee said: "In recent years, the work of life skills education and swimming teaching for local children has been promoted, especially with the participation of teacher Nguyen Viet Tuoc and some colleagues in the free swimming class for children. We always create conditions, share and encourage teachers to give them more motivation to continue this meaningful work."

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nguoi-thay-gan-20-nam-day-boi-mien-phi-185240627164509251.htm